Stability of atomic nuclei

The stability of an atomic nucleus depends on the balance between protons and neutrons. Protons repel each other due to their positive charges, so neutrons act as a buffer, helping to hold the nucleus together through nuclear forces. When there's an optimal ratio of protons to neutrons, the nucleus remains stable. If the ratio is off, the nucleus becomes unstable and likely to decay, releasing particles or radiation to reach a more stable state. Stability depends on this delicate balance; too many or too few neutrons compared to protons can cause instability.